AGREEMENT FOR THE TREATMENT EFFICACY STUDY (TES)
BACKGROUND
As part of the important and ongoing evaluation of the efficacy and safety of the current artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) being used for malaria treatment in Lao PDR, Artemether+Lumefantrine (Coartem®), a treatment efficacy study (TES) is being conducted by WHO in partnership with the Centre for Malariology, parasitology and Entomology (CMPE) in three provinces, Savanakhet, Champasack, and Salavanh. About 600 Febrile patients, from these three provinces, aged between 6 months and above, except females aged 12-18-year-old, as it is culturally sensitive to request pregnancy test for young unmarried women, will be recruited into the study in provincial and district hospitals.
An additional objective of this study has subsequently been agreed, which is to identify and map genetic markers to the partner drug in this combination therapy, Lumefantrine, indicating potential resistance to this drug by the malaria parasite. This information is not yet available in Lao or in the Mekong region, and the identification of these genetic markers will be an important part of monitoring and managing emerging resistance to all WHO recommended first line ACTs.
To identify these resistance markers blood samples will need to be collected from 60 x malaria infected patients that qualify for the TES and are subsequently recruited into the study. The blood samples collected from these patients needs to be stored appropriately and transported and stored in suitable conditions (liquid nitrogen) in a laboratory in Vientiane. After the 60-x sample shave been collected they will need to be transported to the WHO collaborating centre at Institute Pasteur Cambodia for genetic analysis. This Agreement is to contract a suitable provider to work with CMPE and health staff in the provinces to collect blood sample, store the samples at suitable temperature in the field, transport the samples from the field to a laboratory in Vientiane, store the samples at the appropriate temperature in the laboratory and then transport all samples to the WHO reference laboratory in Cambodia.
Primary endpoints: Collection of 60 x blood samples from malaria patients that qualify for the TES study at three provinces in southern Lao, their effective transport to a laboratory in Vientiane so that they can then be sent to a WHO collaborating centre in Cambodia for further analysis of the samples.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
The purpose of the post is to collect blood samples from malaria patients in the field for laboratory analysis to identify and map resistance markers in the artemisinin partner drug (Lumefantrine) that is currently used in Lao for front line treatment of malaria.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
- Conduct a technical orientation for clinician and lab technician in the provincial and district study sites on the sample collection methodology and how to safely store and transport the samples to an appropriate laboratory in Vientiane, Lao.
- Develop a job-aid to support proper sample collection, storage and transportation and disseminate this to the targeted end-users.
- Provide technical follow-up and QA for all sample collected from the sites by the trained staff.
- Coordinate with WHO, CMPE focal persons, and trained staff in study site/facilities to monitor of the labelling of the sample and safety transportation to IPL.
- Support the availability of blood collection and transportation containers and other material related to the project.
- Conduct field visit to the collection sites for supervision and monitoring and evaluation purposes.
- Manage the funds and provide direct financial support to field teams for all blood sample collection materials, actual blood collection from eligible patients and transportation from site-to a laboratory with suitable storage conditions.
- Submit regular progress reports to WHO and CMPE regarding the status of the sample collection.
- Transfer all samples that are collected to the WHO’s reference laboratory to the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia;
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
Output/s
Output 1: Collection of 40 x blood samples, their safe and effective storage and transport to a laboratory in Vientiane and upon achieving the targeted number of sample collections the bulk transport of all samples to the WHO reference laboratory in Cambodia.
Deliverable 1.1: 40 x blood samples collected from the field and stored at a laboratory in Vientiane.
Deliverable 1.2: The successful bulk transport of all samples to the WHO reference laboratory in Cambodia.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Organization based in Lao PDR, with strong scientific and medical background that includes senior staff with extensive laboratory experience, staff capable of working within the Lao medical service at provincial and district hospitals in the three study sites with Medical degrees or at least Master of Public Health, and additional laboratory technicians who have been certified by the WHO as laboratory level one expert. Knowledge and experienced in successfully working with collection of biological samples in Lao. Able to work as team and able to implement supportive supervision in place/in distance for project management purpose.
EXPERIENCE
Essential: Organisation with strong scientific and medical background including senior staff with strong scientific and medical background that includes senior staff with extensive laboratory experience, staff capable of working within the Lao medical service at provincial and district hospitals in the three study sites with Medical degrees or at least Master of Public Health, and additional laboratory technicians who have been certified by the WHO as laboratory level one expert. Knowledge and experienced in successfully working with collection of biological samples in Lao. Able to work as team and able to implement supportive supervision in place/in distance for project management purpose.
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- • Knowledge of malaria laboratory diagnosis and patient service;
- • Knowledge of the Lao PDR Health system in sub-national level and engage key technical people involvement to the study;
- • Knowledge of serious adverse event management if applicable and coordinate to Food and Drug Department for reporting and referral case if needed
- • Experience in training on laboratory diagnosis for malaria and treatment
LANGUAGES
High level of ability in spoken and written English.
COMPETENCIES
Technical expertise
Producing results
Ensuring effective use of resources
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The selected organization will lead the operation with technical cooperation of the WHO and the WHO collaborating centre in Cambodia (Pasteur Institute Cambodia). They will conduct field work and day-by-day technical monitoring remotely. Targeted sites in each province for collection of blood samples have been identified in accordance to where the current TES is being conducted. There are 6 facilities in Savanakhet, 5 health facilities in Sekong, and 6 health facilities in Attopue province.
Duration of contract: 3 months (20 September 2021 - 25 December 2021)
APPLICATIONS
Interested organization must share project proposal that shall include organization’s profile, proposal of the execution of this ToR, CVs of proposed key staff and proof of strong relations with MOH’s sub-national network (a track record of already performed activities may fit this purpose) to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 31 August 2021.
The proposal should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed fee and availability.
Please use Tender Notice No. 138892 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.